- Email:
- rj62@iu.edu
Rebecca Jones is a community work incentive coordinator at the Center on Community Living and Careers at Indiana University, Bloomington.
Jones is a lifelong advocate for underserved and underprivileged demographics. From a young age, she has had a heart for program development geared towards those with less opportunities. When starting as a direct support professional in a group home in 2014, Jones saw that the residents were not given opportunity choices in their home life activities. As such, an outing plan, championed by Jones, was developed, pitched, and implemented which allowed residents to more freely choose what to do with their own downtime. This experience shifted her college studies interest from Early Childhood Development to Human Services. Since then, Jones has served as a certified employment specialist and BINS liaison, quality of life coordinator, and a vocational rehabilitation counselor. She has advocated for inclusion through creation of training materials, a SNAP/WIC benefits program at local farmer’s markets, client-guided employment plans, and community awareness programs which connected local business owners and vocational rehabilitations stakeholders.
Being a small business owner herself, Jones has a specific interest in ensuring those with disabilities who are interested in starting or expanding their own businesses are supported and accommodated to determine their own successful outcomes. As a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Jones created a model which ensured clients who were interested in creating their own self-employment avenues were able to complete appropriate discovery activities to hone their abilities, grow their passion, and sustain their success.
Degrees
Jones completed her studies at Purdue University and holds a bachelors degree in Human Services with a minor in Psychology. She also holds two associates degrees in Early Childhood Education and Liberal Arts from Ivy Tech of Lafayette. She has completed her Trauma Informed Care Certification and holds a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt.
Personal Statement
I believe every individual should have the opportunity to direct their own success in life by being able to determine who they are, where they are, and the why behind it. These are key factors in ensuring autonomy, self-direction, and -most importantly – identify of one’s self. I will strive for my work with the institute to progress opportunities for all and give a voice to those who have the desire to build their own path.
Research Interests
- Benefits Counseling
- Competitive Integrated Employment
- Employment Services
- Small Business, Self Employment, + Supported Self Employment
Honors and Awards
- Top Ten Under 40. Greater Lafayette - 2022
- Leadership Lafayette Class 50